USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 53
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Frederick Wolf, whose name introduces this record, acquired his education in the common schools of the neighborhood, therein mastering the branches of study that equipped him for the practical duties of life. During his youth he assisted his father in the shop and later engaged in the nursery business. He eventually acquired the money which enabled him to purchase land, becoming the owner of his present farm of one hundred and forty-four acres located in Madison township on the Wolf road near Fort Mckinley, the Harrison township line running through the land. It is supplied with good farm buildings and every- thing about the place is kept in the best condition, indicating the thrift of the owner. For many years Mr. Wolf engaged in general agricultural pursuits but is now practically living retired, having accumulated a competency which sup- plies him with all the comforts of life.
Mr. Wolf was married December 26, 1875, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma C. Frank, a daughter of Harvey and Polly (Christ) Frank. Both Mr. and Mrs. Frank were natives of Rockingham county, Virginia, and there spent their entire lives, the father being a planter. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wolf has been blessed with eight children: Harry, who wedded Anna F. Schaunfelt, by whom he has four children, John H., Norman F., Harold E., and Esther ; Lula, the wife of Harry Bosore, by whom she has two daughters, Mable and Dorothy ; Herbert, who wedded Ida Weldy ; Roy; Carl, at home ; and Ida, Lottie and Wesley, all of whom have departed this life.
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Mr. Wolf belongs to the Mission church at Fort McKinley, while in his politics he is independent voting for the men whom he believes best qualified for office. He is a strong temperance man and in favor of the prohibition movement. Hav- ing spent his entire life in Montgomery county, Mr. Wolf is well known to its citizens and to those who know him intimately, his companionship, friendship and counsel are appreciated and helpful. He lives an honorable and upright life and in his treatment of his neighbors and his relations with his fellowmen he never loses sight of the principle of the Golden Rule.
NATHANIEL DIEHL.
The farming interests of Montgomery county find a worthy representative in Nathaniel Diehl, who is the owner of a farm comprising one hundred and fifty-eight acres, situated on the east side of Liberty road in Madison township and about three miles southwest of Trotwood. In addition to this property he also owns another farm adjoining the home place on the north and it is now cultivated by a tenant. Having spent his entire life in this county, Mr. Diehl has a wide acquaintance and his admirable qualities have won him favorable regard.
He was born on the 23d of January, 1857, in Jackson township, and is a son of John and Susan ( Earsman) Diehl. The former was also a native of this county, born in Perry township, and his parents were John and Susan (Miller) Diehl. The great-grandfather of our subject was the founder of the family in Ohio, coming to this state from Pennsylvania. He was one of the pioneer set- tlers in this portion of the country, arriving when much of the land was covered with dense forest, through which the Indians still stalked at pleasure, hunting wild game and also shooting wild animals, which were numerous. Mr. Diehl cleared his land and in the midst of the wilderness developed a farm, bringing his fields under cultivation. He arrived a little before the Indian troubles in this section of the country and like other pioneers had to face not only the hard- ships and difficulties incident to the development of new land but was also constantly menaced by the skulking foe. The old homestead is located on the Eaton pike at the outskirts of New Lebanon, and in fact one part of the town is situated on the old farm. The land is still in possession of the family, which has long been a prominent one. During the war of 1812 John Diehl, Sr., en- gaged in teaming for the army between Dayton and Cincinnati and was an en- listed soldier. His work was very dangerous because of the unsettled condition of the country and the fact that the Indians became imbued with a spirit of war, which was rife in the land. John Diehl, the father, was born in Perry township and largely assisted his father in clearing the old home place. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Susan Earsman, and they became the parents of four children, Aaron, Nathaniel, John Quincy and Sarah Ann. The last named became the wife of Sylvester Manning.
From his infancy to the present time Nathaniel Diehl has been identified with the interests of Montgomery county. His education was acquired in the common schools, where he mastered those branches of learning which equip one
MIR. AND MRS. NATHANIEL DIEHL
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for the practical duties of life. He worked on the farm during the periods of vacation and his training in the labors of the fields was not meager, for he early took his place at the plow and soon became familiar with the best methods of cultivating and caring for the harvests. Since 1880 he has resided upon his present farm, which he purchased in that year and has since cultivated, making it a very valuable property. It presents a most attractive appearance, for in the midst of well cultivated fields stands a beautiful and commodious residence, surrounded by fine shade trees and a well kept lawn. In the rear are good barns and ample sheds for the shelter of grain and stock and the fields bring forth rich harvests, while in the pasture are seen good grades of horses, cattle and hogs. The farm work is carried on along progressive lines and as the years have passed Mr. Diehl has prospered, becoming the owner of valuable property, his two forms returning him a substantial financial income.
On the 12th of October, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Nathaniel Diehl and Miss Mary E. Garst, a daughter of Elias and Sarah (Coffman) Garst. Her father was a very prominent and influential farmer during the many years of his residence in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Diehl have been born ten chil- dren : Alta, the wife of Warren Lentz, by whom she has a daughter, Lola ; Ira M., who wedded Laura Swygert; Ora, living at home; Maud, the wife of David Whitehead, by whom she has a daughter, Violet; Amy, at home; and Sadie, Medda, Orpha and Russell, also under the parental roof ; and Ida, the youngest, in school.
The Diehl family belong to the conservative branch of the Dunkard church and are very active in its work. In all of his life Mr. Diehl has been actuated by his Christian belief and the New Testament teachings, endeavoring to shape his course in harmony therewith. He is thus widely known as a man of untar- nished honor and business rectitude, always endeavoring to deal justly with his fellowmen, while in his judgments he is considerate and charitable.
JESSE A. McCLURE.
Among those who, identified with real estate interests, are active in controlling property transfers, their business energy and enterprise contributing to the growth and welfare of the city as well as to individual success, is Jesse A. Mc- Clure, junior partner of the firm of Weller & McClure. He was born upon a farm in Greene county, Ohio, in 1856 and through the period of his youth was familiar with all of the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he car- ries on the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until the crops are garnered in the late autumn. He remained upon the farm to the age of twenty-four years and during that time pursued his education in the country schools until he reached the age of seventeen years, after which his undivided attention was given to farm work.
It was in 1880 that Mr. McClure arrived in Dayton and entered the employ of Hoover & Gaines, nurserymen, with whom he traveled for six years He then severed his connection with that firm and in 1880 entered the employ of the
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Dayton Hedge Fence Company, which he also represented upon the road for six years. In 1897 he formed his present partnership with Samuel Weller and under the firm style of Weller & McClure has since engaged in the real estate business. As the years have passed they have secured a good clientage, handling much valuable property and in the conduct of their business interests they are not un- mindful of the opportunities of the real estate agent to promote the growth of the city along substantial lines while advancing individual prosperity.
In 1880 Mr. McClure was married in Dayton to Miss Emma Hennanan and they have one daughter, Edith F. Mr. McClure belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Presbyterian church and manifests a com- mendable interest in everything pertaining to progress in those lines which work for good citizenship and for the development of business activity whereon the growth and upbuilding of every city depends.
ALBERT S. FOX.
Albert S. Fox, a structural engineer and contractor of Dayton whose thorough college preparation and theoretical training has stood the test of practical ex- perience, his ability winning him wide recognition in his chosen field of labor, was born on a farm near Brookville, Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 17th of February, 1868. His father, Levi Fox, also first opened his eyes to the light of day on a Montgomery county farm October 24, 1825, and his last days were spent in Brookville, this county, where he passed away February 19, 1903 For many years he engaged in business as a manufacturer of brick. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Studebaker, was born February 3, 1830, and died in Brookville, August 12, 1903. They became the parents of nine children, of whom one son died in infancy, while the others lived to mature years. They were: Martha A., the widow of Lee O. Heck; Sarah J., the wife of A. F. Roller ; Her- man S. : Silas D., who died in 1881 at the age of twenty-two years ; Theodore S .; Elizabeth, the wife of Perry N. Spitler ; Albert S. ; and Charles J.
Reared amid rural surroundings and mastering the elementary branches of learning in the country schools, Albert S. Fox afterward attended the National Normal College at Lebanon, Ohio, and also the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. In preparation for the field of labor which he chose to make his life work, he studied bridge construction. Following his graduation he worked for the Brookville (Ohio) Bridge Company for four years, from 1902 until 1906, and since the latter year he has been taking contracts on his own account for the building of bridges. His ability as a structural engineer is evidenced in a num- ber of bridges which show his handiwork and the number of his contracts is steadily increasing and the nature thereof is becoming more and more important.
In 1898 in Dayton Mr. Fox was united in marriage to Mrs. Susie C. Gilbert, nee Ozias, a daughter of Benjamin Ozias, and they have one child, Virginia. The parents belong to the Summit street United Brethren church and have a wide acquaintance in social circles while their own home is attractive by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality. Mr. Fox belongs to the Independent Order of
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Odd Fellows and to the Knights of Pythias, while his political views are in ac- cord with the principles of the republican party. His interest in public affairs is that of a citizen who desires the public good and not personal advancement. His ability is the measure of his success and those familiar with his career know that he has made and is making continuous progress.
CHARLES FREDERICK SNYDER.
While the growth and development of a city are the outcome of its business activity, progress in this direction is not conserved by a single individual or by a few men but is promoted through the efforts of each one who is loyal to his daily tasks and embraces the opportunities that are open to him. That which dif- ferentiates mankind is the use to which each individual puts his efforts and de- velops his power, and when one man passes another on the highway of life it is perhaps owing not to the fact that his salient characteristics are different, but to the fact that they are combined in a more harmonious union, producing a better balance in the attainment of results. Analyzing the life record of Charles F. Snyder, it will be found that his advancement is due to his possession of quali- ties which any might cultivate. It is the fact that he has cultivated these qualities that has enabled him to reach a creditable and gratifying position in trade circles. being now active in the control of an important productive industry as the vice president of the Beaver Soap Company.
Dayton numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in this city, December 21, 1848. His parents were Rev. Frederick and Martha Wilson (Henderson) Snyder, both now deceased. The family is of German origin and was founded in Pennsylvania at an early day. The grandfather, George Snyder, became one of the early residents of Dayton, taking up his abode here in 1819. His son, the Rev. Frederick Snyder, born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was educated in Columbia College, New York city, an institution ranking second to none in the country. When he had completed his course he was ordained to the ministry of the Baptist denomination and from 1843 until 1850 filled the pastorate of the First Baptist church in Dayton. He was also pastor of a church in Terre Haute, Indiana, and later in Williamsburg, New York, where he died in 1852. Subsequent to his marriage he pursued a course in the Rochester Theological Seminary that he might be fully equipped for his holy calling. His wife survived him for almost a third of a century, passing away in 1884 at the age of sixty-three. Two of their five children died in infancy. Elizabeth A. married E. R. Stillwell and died in January, 1908, leaving three children : Helen, the wife of J. D. Clark, an attorney of Dayton ; Edwin, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Frederick, living in Mexico. Harriet A. is the wife of R. N. King, a resident of Dayton. Charles F. completes the family.
Entering the public schools at the usual age, Charles F. Snyder was in due time graduated from the Central high school with the class of 1867, and thus qualified for the practical and responsible duties of life he secured a situation in the book store of Payne & Holden, with whom he remained for a year and a half, and then
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sought a situation with the Stillwell & Bierce Manufacturing Company, with whom he was associated from 1869 until 1873, acting as bookkeeper for a time and also going upon the road as traveling representative of the house. His careful expenditure during this period enabled him to acquire a capital sufficient for him to engage in business on his own account and in 1874 he began the manu- facture of extension table slides. The enterprise was started on a small scale but almost from the beginning he enjoyed a good trade and continued in that field of activity until 1893, during which time he had built up a very extensive and profitable business. In the meantime the growth of his trade had demanded a removal from his original location to larger quarters and he realized a handsome profit when he disposed of the business to the Dayton Table Slide Company. In that year he became secretary and treasurer of the Beaver Soap Company and on the reorganization of the business in 1906 he was made its vice president. This is now an important productive industry of the city with a large output which is shipped extensively, its market covering a wide territory.
On the 23d of April, 1885, Mr. Snyder was married in Dayton to Miss Mary L. Cooper, a native of Springfield, Ohio. They now have two children, Louise Martha and Leslie C. Mr. Snyder belongs to no secret societies but holds mem- bership with the Dayton City Club and the Dayton Country Club. His religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the First Baptist Church, while his poli- tical views are attested by the support which he gives to the republican party at the polls. His social qualities have won him a constantly increasing circle of friends, while his business integrity has placed him high in the regard of his col- leagues and associates in the commercial world.
JOSEPH LIGHT.
How blessed is he who crowns in shades like these A youth of labor with an age of ease.
These lines are suggested in a contemplation of the life and work of Joseph Light, now living retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former intense and well directed activity. No citizen of Dayton receives in larger meas- ure or more justly merits the confidence, good will and respect of those with whom business or social relations have brought them in contact. For fifty years con- nected with the Dayton Gas Light & Coke Company, his industry and faithful- ness brought him to the position of superintendent and the substantial remunera- tion awarded him in recognition of his worth enabled him at different times to be- come financially interested in other business concerns.
Mr. Light is numbered among the citizens that the world's metropolis has fur- nished to Dayton for his birth occurred in London, England, June 16, 1833. He was one of the twelve children of George and Ann (Rutherford) Light, who were also natives of that country. The only survivors of this family are the subject of this review and an elder sister, Mary Ann, now the widow of Edward Roberts and also a resident of Dayton. The parents both passed away in London, where the father had long followed the trade of a brickmason. He died in 1852 at the
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age of seventy-six years and his wife in 1866 at the age of sixty-five. The former was of the Episcopalian faith while the latter was a Congregationalist in her re- ligious belief. She was of Scotch lineage, a daughter of John Rutherford, a native of the land of hills and heather. The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in England and there spent his entire life, reaching the remarkable old age of one hundred and one years.
Reared in his native city Joseph Light attended school until ten years of age when he began providing for his own support as an employe in a manufactory of gas machinery and bridge building. He manifested aptness in all of his tasks and his faithfulness and diligence won the favorable attention of those whom he served. When a youth of fifteen he was employed on the Brittania tubular bridge then regarded as one of the wonders of the age. He continued in the employ of this firm until nineteen years of age when he heard and heeded the call of the new world, prompted by a desire to enjoy the broader business opportunities offered in this great and growing country. As a passenger on the ship, American Eagle, he sailed from London and landed in New York but tarried only briefly in the eastern metropolis, going at once to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he arrived on the Ist of April. There he entered the employ of the Cincinnati Gas Light & Coke Com- pany, with which he remained until October, 1855, when he removed to Dayton, his previous experience enabling him at that time to take charge of the Dayton Gas Light & Coke works as superintendent. He remained in this position for fifty- two years and six months, ever enjoying the full confidence of the officers of the company as well as of the humblest employe. During this period the works of the company were rebuilt three times under his practical supervision. The first construction was what is known as four inch works; the second six inch; and the third a ten inch; while at the present time the works represent in part six- teen inches and in part twenty inches. In all of his superintendency Mr. Light kept pace with the growth of the city and with the improvement made in gas plants throughout the entire country. After more than a half century of faithful, loyal service he resigned, on which occasion he was presented with a beautiful loving cup by his fellow employes together with the following resolutions :
"Joseph Light, superintendent of the Dayton Gas Light & Coke Company, has after mature deliberation, resigned his position, from a desire to rest and take life with more ease and comfort in his declining years.
"We, the board of directors personally, and as the representatives of the stock- holders, accept same with the most sincere regret-as he has been for more than fifty-two years an officer of the company, and has been faithful, honest and loyal to its best interests ; and in his retirement we wish to assure him of our highest esteem and well wishes for his health and the full fruition of his well-earned rest."
As Mr. Light prospered he made investment from time to time in other busi- ness enterprises, all of which proved profitable so that prosperity has been his in abundance and he now has a handsome competence for the evening of life. He is yet president of the Piqua (Ohio) Gas Company and is vice president of the G. J. Roberts & Company Machine Works.
Mr. Light laid the foundation for a happy married life in November, 1854. when he wedded Miss Catherine Lee, a daughter of Richard Lee, of Cincinnati. They traveled life's journey together for twenty years and were then separated
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in the death of the wife in 1874. Their children, three sons and three daughters, are: Catherine ; George, who has succeeded his father as superintendent of the Dayton Gas Light Light & Coke Company : Jane L., the wife of Charles DeAr- mond, of Piqua, Ohio; Joseph Edward; Ellen F .; and Edward H. In 1880, in Bucyrus, Ohio, Mr. Light was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Westwood.
Prominently known in Masonry Mr. Light has taken the degrees of the com- mandery and of the Scottish Rite. He is also a charter member of Dayton Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and holds membership in the Park Presbyterian church. His political views are in ac- cord with the republican party which he has supported since its organization. There is perhaps no history in this volume which illustrates more clearly the value and worth of character as manifest in the faithful service and thorough relia- bility in every condition and in every circumstance of life. All who know him entertain for Mr. Light the highest respect and good will and he has come to his present position in life's journey with what Shakespeare has termed "the blessed accompaniment of age-honor, love and troops of friends."
HON. ULYSSES S. MARTIN.
The legal profession demands not only a high order of ability but a rare combination of talent, learning, tact, patience and industry. The successful law- yer and the competent judge must be a man of well balanced intellect, possess- ing wide general information and comprehensive understanding of legal prin- ciples and precedents. He must, moreover, entirely subjugate personal feeling and prejudice to the impartiality and equity of the office to which life, property, right and liberty look for protection. That Judge Martin is regarded as such a jurist is a uniformly accepted fact. He is, moreover, entitled to mention from the fact that he is one of Montgomery county's native sons, his birth having oc- curred in Randolph township, March 4, 1866. His parents were Christian and Maria (Frantz) Martin, the former born at Lewisburg, Preble county, Ohio, in 1830 and the latter about ten miles northwest of Dayton in this county, about 1856 and devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits. He was also a citizen of considerable local prominence and was recognized as one of the leaders of the republican party, doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He served for three terms as trustee of Randolph township, a fact which indicated his personal popularity for the township had a normal democratic majority. He died in 1892, respected by all who knew him. His widow still survives.
The early experiences which came to Ulysses S. Martin were those that usually fall to the farm lad. At an early age he began work in the fields, assisting in the plowing, planting and harvesting but while the district schools were in session he gave his time to the branches of learning constituting the curriculum, until sixteen years of age, after which he spent two years as a high-school student in Harrisburg. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed
IION. U. S. MARTIN
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during the winter months, while in the summer season he attended the Western Normal University at Ada, Ohio. Three years were thus passed in alternating periods of study and teaching, after which he entered upon a course in Otterbein University, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree at his graduation in June, 1892. Another year was then devoted to teaching, after which he began reading law in the spring of 1893 in the office of Carr, Allaman & Kennedy, well known at- torneys of Dayton. The previous reading which he had done, while teaching school, and his close application, while in the office, enabled him to secure admis- sion to the bar in June, 1894, and in the following July he opened an office for the active practice of his profession, in which he has since made continuous ad- vancement until his ability and legal knowledge have carried him into important professional relations. Year by year his clientage increased not only in volume but also in the character of the legal work entrusted to him. In 1899 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Montgomery county, taking up the duties of the position on the Ist of January, 1900. So ably did he serve that in 1902 he was reelected, his second term expiring in January, 1906. At that time he was ap- pointed by Governor Herrick to fill a vacancy on the common pleas bench and, after serving for one year, he was chosen for the office by the popular suffrage at the regular election of 1906 for a term of six years, beginning in January, 1907. He is, therefore, now acting as common pleas judge of the third subdivi- sion of the second judicial circuit and his decisions indicate strong mentality, care- ful analysis, a thorough knowledge of the law and an unbiased judgment.
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